Faced with a place that is busting with “bests,” how do we choose what’s the Best of the City? We focus on the new and the newly discovered—183 shops and services, activities and eateries that offer fresh, exciting viewpoints on the city and force us to define ourselves anew.

Weekend BrunchLeave the icing-bomb cinnamon rolls and the all-you-can-eat groaning boards to other brunchers. Boat Street Kitchen cooks up something simultaneously more sophisticated and more down-to-earth, offering take-your-breath-away dishes like rustic cornmeal custard cake or baked eggs topped with buttered crumbs—all taken from a decidedly Old World playbook but made to the discriminating specs of the modern-day epicurean. Boat Street Kitchen, 3131 Western Ave, Belltown, 206-632-4602; www.boatstreetcafe.com

Food TourThe new three-hour Tour de Chocolat begins with tea and truffles downtown at the Chocolate Box, then continues with a scenic drive to the Theo chocolate factory in Fremont, followed by another tasting at Fran’s in U Village. By the time the chocotourists get to Oh! Chocolates to learn the art of covering graham crackers with melted—you guessed it—chocolate, many find they’re too full for free samples. Well, almost too full. Tour de Chocolat, 108 Pine St, Downtown, 206-443-3900; www.sschocolatebox.com

TakeoutVilla Victoria (born in Madrona, relocated to Columbia City) is simply the apotheosis of perfect takeout: a sweet space up the road from Rainier Ave, a large selection (chilaquiles verdes, tofu burritos with guacamole), a fleet of dependable regulars, and those headliner tamales—moist and jalapeño flavorful. Villa Victoria, 3829 S Edmunds St, Columbia City, 206-329-1717; www.villa-victoria.net

VibeSeattle’s got no shortage of restaurants whose crowd, ambience, decor, and neighborhood placement add up to that thing we call “vibe.” But this year’s best was an easy pick; as easy as walking into the capacious, Tokyo-hip, lime-green Boom Noodle and lighting at one of the shared cafeteria tables for a steaming bowl of wild salmon udon. It’s just as right for an afternoon nosh as for a drenched-in-cocktails destination dinner. Boom Noodle, 1121 E Pike St, Capitol Hill, 206-701-9130; www.boomnoodle.com

New ChefHe’s not exactly a rookie—at age 39, Keith Luce has already worked alongside La Côte Basque’s Jean-Jacques Rachou, cooked for the Clintons at the White House, and walked away with the James Beard Foundation Rising Star Chef of the Year award. He’s just new to Seattle—as head chef at the Herbfarm lucky us. Luce’s gifted palate and subtle hand make bright new music of Cascadia’s bounty. Keith Luce, The Herbfarm, 14590 NE 145th St, Woodinville, 425-485-5300; www.theherbfarm.com

Steak FritesAt Betty, the Crow people’s newer joint at the top of Queen Anne, the signature dish also happens to be the best of its ilk in town. Here, the steak is a Brandt Farms rib eye, gilded on the grill, oozing glorious juice, heaped with a mess of crisped fries, flavorful in every bite—and utterly fork tender. Betty, 1507 Queen Anne Ave N, Queen Anne, 206-352-3773; www.eatatbetty.com

Sweet-Potato FriesWe loves us some sweet-potato fries. And where do we love ’em the most? Pig Iron Bar-B-Q, of course, where Georgetown meets Shangri-la. Sure, whatever, have some baby backs or some sliced brisket. But the must-orders here are the sides, from the corn-bread dressing to the mashed-potato salad to those beautiful orange fries—those crisp, salty-sweet little beauts for which, try as we might, we can’t stop driving to Georgetown. Pig Iron Bar-B-Q, 5602 First Ave S, Georgetown, 206-768-1009; www.pigironbbq.net

Ethan Stowell

Yeah, 2007 was kind of a big year,” Ethan Stowell recently told us. “I got married!” That he did. Of course, eight months before the wedding, he opened Tavolàta, the restaurant that gave Belltown its best reason to stay up late; and four months after he opened How to Cook a Wolf, the acclaimed pasta house at the top of Queen Anne Hill. Those months in the middle he spent reimagining Union, the downtown dinner house that made his name—listening to the zeitgeist with the savvy of a seasoned businessman, then cutting prices to reflect a downsizing market—and afterward he received two of the highest honors in the national culinary stratosphere: coronation by Food and Wine magazine as one of the Best New Chefs in America, then nomination for the prestigious James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef in the Northwest award. Ethan Stowell, How to Cook a Wolf, www.howtocookawolf.com. Tavolàta, www.tavolata.com. Union, www.unionseattle.com

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Mexican RestaurantBallard, the neighborhood with its own gravitational pull, really reels ’em in around dinnertime, when the aromas of organic blue-cheese burgers, wild-boar ragú, and extra-añejo tequila mingle into an olfactory siren song detectable from Bothell to Burien. But local noses begin to downright quiver when they isolate the black chili mole of La Carta de Oaxaca, that Old Mexico eatery with the consistently stunning food, ever-present crowd, and undying devotion of Seattle diners. La Carta de Oaxaca, 5431 Ballard Ave NW, Ballard, 206-782-8722; www.lacartadeoaxaca.com

ServiceIn a perfect world every server in Seattle would be a food lover. Every server would inform without condescending, advise without pandering, attend without hovering, and possess that brilliant sixth sense that tells him or her when to advance and when to retreat. Guess what? Café Juanita, where owner and chef Holly Smith, a 2008 James Beard award winner, rigorously trains every employee, turns out to be a perfect world. Café Juanita, 9702 NE 120th Pl, Kirkland, 425-823-1505; www.cafejuanita.com

CloneWhat was the likelihood that Pike/Pine’s Via Tribunali one with the medieval candlelight, wood-fired pizza, and bracing urban buzz—would duplicate its Neapolitan ambience so faithfully? The Queen Anne outpost offers the same sexy Italian atmo, the same impressively blistered pies, even the same low profile from the street. We’ll see if the big new Trib in Georgetown (set to open as we went to press) will follow suit. Via Tribunali, 317 W Galer St, Queen Anne, 206-264-7768; www.viatribunali.com

Face-LiftThis year’s restaurant revitalizations came in all shapes and colors: new chefs at Artemis and Beàto, a more affordable menu at Union, and new looks at Sazerac and Elliott’s Oyster House. But our favorite improvement happened at local legend Le Gourmand. Say what you will about the new vanilla color palette and the new decorative element of suspended puppets. It beats heck out of a floral mural and grandma’s pink upholstery. Le Gourmand, 425 NW Market St, Ballard, 206-784-3463

Happy-Hour MenuBrasa, that sprawling Iberian dream world in Belltown, is this city’s number-one place to be weekdays after work. It simply fires on every cylinder, with a creamy room that accommodates the gamut from intimacy to celebration; a chef and co-owner, Tamara Murphy, invested in every single dish; a signature plate, roast pig, that stuns; and a terrific happy-hour deal—half-priced everything—that has seriously addicted the locals. Brasa, 2107 Third Ave, Belltown, 206-728-4220; www.brasa.com

New Seattle RestaurantCount us among the many who would walk a mile (you might have to park that far) and wait an hour (you’ll wait that long) for the golden-skinned roast chicken at Café Presse. Sweet, simple French fare aside, what we love best about this Gallic nosherie is its ambience: a centuries-old sense of place evident in everything from the old trees out the towering windows to the Lillet in the cocktails. Café Presse, 1117 12th Ave, First Hill, 206-709-7674; www.cafepresseseattle.com

New Eastside RestaurantIt’s Trellis, of course, the Kirkland Heathman Hotel’s farm-to-table dining room, and as such, the most serious new enterprise east of Lake Washington. The room is Napa chic, the ingredients Northwest fresh (chef Brian Scheehser’s farm supplies much of the produce), and the preparations—from pan-roasted brook trout to the chef’s signature leafy-topped flatbread—solid and fine. Trellis, 220 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland, 425-284-5900; www.trellisrestaurant.net

PastaThere is now a clear answer to the question everyone asks restaurant critics: Where is the best place to go for a great bowl of pasta? Though a few exemplary spots come to mind—Café Lago, Volterra, Sorrentino most outstanding is the tiny new joint with the great big name, How to Cook a Wolf. Order up a bowl of trofie with parsley-walnut pesto and pecorino Toscano or garga-nelli with tuna and capers and you’ll see that Wolf’s pasta’s all about big flavors, flawless execution, and, well, magic. How to Cook a Wolf, 2208 Queen Anne Ave N, Queen Anne, 206-838-8090; www.howtocookawolf.com

Best of Burien

Beer and Snacks

Elliott Bay Brewhouse and Pub features seven year-round beers (all made from organic barley, of course), from Alembic Pale Ale to No Doubt Stout. Pair them with a gigantic Bavarian pretzel, whose deliciously sour flavor and flaky crust are the best we’ve had outside of Germany. Elliott Bay Brewhouse and Pub, 255 SW 152nd St, Burien, 206-246-4211; www.elliottbaybrewing.com

Neapolitan-Style Pizza

At Filiberto’s Cucina Italiana, the Perry family has been wood-firing exquisitely simple, perfectly charred pies since long before newcomers like Via Tribunali and Tutta Bella roared into town, and will be doing it for a long time to come—come fall, from a new, yet-to-be determined Burien location. They know their fans, who’ve been trekking it to Cucina since the mid ’70s, will follow them anywhere. Filiberto’s Cucina Italiana, Location TBA

Park

Tucked away on the western corner of town at the banks of the Sound, Seahurst Park boasts unobstructed views of the water, the Olympics, and Vashon and Blake islands. A web of trails winds through the 179 acres of surrounding hills and pine-filled forests, making the park a popular destination for bikers, runners, and beachcombers alike. Seahurst Park, 16th Ave SW & SW 140th St, Burien, www.ci.burien.wa.us/parksrec/other/parks/park_seahurst.htm

Wine Bar

Vino Bello does a little of everything: It’s a wine shop and bar (with more than 25 varieties by the glass), but it also hosts live bands and stocks specialty beers. Strike up a conversation with the servers, who have a way of making seasoned oenophiles and neophytes alike feel as though they’ve come to just the right place.Vino Bello, 636 SW 152nd St, Ste F, Burien, 206-244-8466; www.vinobello.com

Specialty Grocery

With a decaying strip-mall location and a name that stirs up images of a mortgage company,Burien Market may not make the most dazzling first impression, but the store has become a destination for cooks who come looking for herbs, fresh produce, and hard-to-find Asian spices, all priced to move. Burien Market, 233 SW 152nd St, Burien, 206-241-6773

Un-RestaurantIt’s the hottest trend going—restaurants that aren’t exactly restaurants. Like tiny and idiosyncratic Elemental@Gasworks and Sitka and Spruce, or One Pot, which is not technically a legal operation (Shh!). Or like Skillet —the Airstream trailer, which lands in one parking lot one day, another the next, serving delicious kobe-style burgers and Moroccan-style lamb sloppy joes. At press time Skillet was opening a permanent installation Downtown—but, adventurers, don’t despair. The Airstream will still be roaming, its daily location accessible online. Skillet, www.skilletstreetfood.com

DesignThe first was a novelty, the second happenstance, the third clear evidence of a trend. Minimal pure white decor once seemed so LA, but as more white places opened—Veil, Taste began to appreciate how appetizing food can look against a stark backdrop. But dang if our favorite hasn’t remained Crush, where wunderkind Jason Wilson shows us night after stunning night that a restrained decorative style plays beautifully off a lush extravagance of flavors. Crush, 2319 E Madison St, Madison Valley, 206-302-7874; www.crushonmadison.com

FusionThe marrying of cuisines known as fusion has become so commonplace we barely use the term anymore. Unless we’re at Joule, where Northwest ingredients, French technique, and the pickled and fermented delights of Korean cuisine commingle to form a hybrid so unprecedented, intelligent, and flat-out delicious it can only be called thrilling. Really, what else are you going to call kalamata gnocchi with Gruyère, almonds, and pickled red pepper? Joule, 1913 N 45th St, Wallingford, 206-632-1913; www.joule restaurant.com

Organic RestaurantSeattle has a green-certified Italian restaurant, a 75 percent organic pizzeria in the making—and even a ristorante, Bizzarro, which gets almost all of its food from within a 300-mile radius. But the Most Organically Correct By Far is Tilth, Maria Hines’s 95 percent organic eatery in Wallingford, one of two organic-certified restaurants in the country, and one of the finest fine food establishments in town. Tilth, 1411 N 45th St, Wallingford, 206-633-0801; www.tilthrestaurant.com

Late-Night RestaurantThe more cosmopolitan we become, the later we nosh—and the newbies understand that, from Tavolàta to Café Presse. So why do we still find ourselves midnight-supping on the apple-wood-grilled chicken and Burger Royale at Palace Kitchen, which serves dinner every night till 1am? Because everyone we know is eating there too. Palace Kitchen, 2030 Fifth Ave, Belltown, 206-448-2001; www.tomdouglas.com

IzakayaTime was you had to cross international borders to get the small-plate pub food that the Japanese tuck into after clocking out for the day. But it’s caught on here—from high-end Umi Sake House in Belltown, to Capitol Hill newbie Vi Bacchus, and the one we love most is the dimly-lit I.D. walk-up, Maekawa Bar, where authentic little snacks—seared tuna with ponzu, squid legs with pickled cabbage—keep the happy late-night hordes coming back. Maekawa Bar, 601 S King St, International District, 206-622-0634

R.I.P.

Pine Street’s 500 Block

The 500 Block, the only stretch of Pine Street on Capitol Hill that didn’t look like a parking lot or condominium, died earlier this year, and is now a parking lot and soon to be a condominium. Throughout its life the gauntlet of hipster bars (Cha Cha, Bus Stop), gay bars (Manray, Kincora), and a restaurant in cahoots with Mylanta (Bimbo’s Bitchin’ Burritos) was a requisite detour on any bar trek. The 500 Block suffered from a contagious strain of Capitol Hill Condo-itis before merciful real estate developers euthanized every building with a bulldozer. The 500 Block is survived by Pete, the “straight” guy in accounting who always tried to talk coworkers into happy hour at the Manray.

Gourmet Ice CreamWhile we certainly have cupcakes covered, Seattle once fell short when it came to the cold, creamy stuff. That all changed with the much buzzed-about opening of Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream in Wallingford. An 11pm closing time and flavors like Balsamic Strawberry and Vivace Coffee hinted that owner Molly Moon Neitzel wasn’t just catering to the kiddies. Her rich scoops turned out to be well-balanced, complex confections that please even the most persnickety adult. Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream, 1622½ N 45th St, Wallingford, 206-547-5105; www.mollymoonicecream.com

Bar MenuPub grub has evolved, and it’s the most burgeoning category in town, thanks to publicans like Linda Derschang, who injects restaurant energy into her watering holes (see King’s Hardware, Smith), and restaurateurs like Scott Staples, who injects bar energy into his restaurants (see Quinn’s Pub, Restaurant Zoë). But the best remains the foodie bar extraordinaire: Licorous. There is just no spot in town that matches it for culinary verve or spirit(s). Licorous, 928 12th Ave, Capitol Hill, 206-325-6947; www.licorous.com

SpiritsLocally speaking, it was a banner year for liquor, and our fave new concoction results when something fruity takes a long bath in good vodka. Infused vodkas are the rage all over Seattle (try the pear vodka cocktail at Crush), and—happy for us—the specialty of the house at South Lake Union’s tiny Venik Lounge. Just see if you can resist a shot of Venik’s cherry vodka. Venik Lounge, 227 Ninth Ave N, South Lake Union, 206-223-3734; www.veniklounge.com

Dive BarIf we were designing the perfect dive, we’d put it in South Park and get the folks from the 9LB Hammer to run it. We’d wood-panel it rumpus-room style and add booths and a back patio. Then we’d hire a sassy staff to sling $3 burgers to the sort of souls who love nothing more than a round of Yahtzee and a belt of whiskey. What would we call it? Loretta’s Northwesterner sounds good. Loretta’s Northwesterner, 8617 14th Ave S, South Park, 206-327-9649

Tequila TavernTo think that The Saint, the new, Tiffany-blue-painted agave bar at Bellevue and Olive Way, once housed the Wing Dome. Inside, owner Quentin Ertel (the man behind Havana) has stocked the bar with 80-plus specialty tequilas, white-washed the walls, and hung framed portraits of notable mejicanos. The effect is calming and classy, and offers a welcome retreat from the rowdy cantinas that pepper this slice of Capitol Hill. The Saint, 1416 E Olive Way, Capitol Hill, 206-323-9922; www.thesaintsocialclub.com

Beer BarOnce a hippie holdout, Fremont now hosts the city’s frattiest bar—goers, but that doesn’t keep connoisseurs of the sudsy stuff away from Brouwers Café. The occasional chugging contest is worth an endless list of global beers, first-rate frites, and a patio that’s as much like a beer garden as anything between here and Leavenworth. Brouwer’s Café, 400 N 45th St, Fremont, 206-267-2437; www.brouwerscafe.com

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OUT & ABOUT

Film SeriesWhether we’re talking monorails or movies, Seattleites like nothing more than a good old-fashioned debate. At the ITVS Community Cinema Seattle’s flagship series, our penchant for polemic is provoked when freewheeling discussions follow film screenings. In one memorable moment a Starbucks rep came to watch the Ethiopian coffee contemplation Black Gold—then defended the very company the doc condemned. The fourth season opens this September with Chicago Ten, from the team behind the Robert Evans docu-pic, The Kid Stays in the Picture. ITVS Community Cinema Seattle, SIFF Cinema, 321 Mercer St, 800-930-6060; www.communitycinemaseattle.org

Arts ChannelSorry, KCTS, but while you were rerunning Andre Rieu’s European kitsch concert for the umpteenth time, Seattle Channel hooked us with its Art Zone programming and claimed the prize for top-notch television. Nancy Pearl has monthly Book Lust; Nancy Guppy does In Studio appearances to take the pretense out of theater and gallery work; KEXP’s John Richards sounds out The Local Music Show; and there was even an opening-night special for the Seattle International Film Festival. We’re staying tuned. Seattle Channel, Cable Channel 21, www.seattlechannel.org

Media Arts ProgramNative Lens, a function of local Longhouse Media, puts Seattle’s Native American youth in touch with their world, and themselves, through technology. A partnership with the San Juan Islands’ Swinomish tribe, the program (a 2007 Mayor’s Arts Award winner) gives each kid a camera, and then industry professionals teach them how handle the film equipment. What these young people choose to express—peer pressure, self-esteem issues, the bonds of community—finds a compelling home on celluloid. Native Lens, 206-778-8394; www.longhousemedia.org

Indie Craft FairThough the cozy, seams-on-the-outside, DIY craft movement makes a happy home in Seattle year round, each December we’re particularly graced during Urban Craft Uprising. At this mother of all craft revolutions, held at Seattle Center, clever vendors sell earrings fashioned from Barbie-doll shoes, journals made out of old textbooks, and clocks created from melted vinyl records. Urban Craft Uprising, www.urbancraftuprising.com

Block PartyCapitol Hill’s Microsoft-sponsored hoodfest draws the big-name bands, but for a more homespun hoedown, we suggest the South Lake Union Block Party. From the barbecue burger cook-off to the beer garden to the dog-show obstacle course, the August event hits the perfect pitch for a low-key summer afternoon in the city. South Lake Union Block Party, Westlake Ave & Denny Way, South Lake Union, 206-342-5900; www.slublockparty.com

Artist-Run GalleryTucked behind a wooden fence at the convergence of Olive and Denny, Crawl Space can be tricky to find, but it’s worth the extra effort to watch the emergence of the seven member artists—including Anne Mathern and her deadpan commentary on falseness and sincerity in the form of large-format photographic portraits—and Diana Falchuk’s exploration of death and decay in the form of food sculptures. Crawl Space, 504 E Denny Way, Ste 1, Capitol Hill, 206-201-2441; www.crawlspacegallery.com

Impresario

Wier Harman

Town Hall has flourished as a center for civic and cultural life, and for that we have Wier Harman to thank. The local arts veteran and Yale University alum sharpened his theater-running skills in both New York and Atlanta before becoming the hall’s executive director. “The thing that I really dig about it,” he says, “is I feel like we’re pioneering a new kind of venue, where our own produced work is sharing the stage with the best work the community can throw at us.”

Harman remains genuinely engaged in what he deems Town Hall’s “cultural flattening,” which allows a regional spelling bee to share common ground with a lecture by Al Gore. The hall recently purchased its building and will start a capital campaign for much-needed renovation (air-conditioning!). “I inherited something that was primed and ready to go,” says Harman. “All I’ve really done is turn up the volume a bit.” Turn it up higher, Harman—it’s a beautiful noise. Wier Harman, Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave, First Hill, 206-652-4255; www.townhallseattle.org

Class“So I’m driving to the doctor,” the comic begins, “and I stop to get a latte [pauses for a beat] like anyone in Seattle would.” It’s all about timing at the Comedy Underground showcase, where recent grads of Stu Stuart’s multipart Beginning Stand-Up Comedy class display their newly developed wisecracking prowess. Stuart, a Seattle- and Michigan-based comedian who also runs beer tours in Belgium, flies into town several times a year to teach the class through the UW’s Experimental College, and boy, are his arms tired. Beginning Stand-Up Comedy, Experimental College, Husky Union Building, Rm G10, Stevens Way at University of Washington, 206-543-4375; www.exco.org

ReadingsIt’s been around forever—or at least since 1973—but the brick-walled basement of our beloved Elliott Bay Book Company (a store so compelling, transplants often list it as the reason they moved here) remains the best place to catch your favorite authors reading from their newest manuscripts. The store regularly hosts literary luminaries like Jane Smiley, Dave Eggers, Edwidge Danticat, and David Sedaris—and is the only one that serves wine while the wordsmiths work the room. Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main St, Pioneer Square, 206-624-6600; www.elliottbaybook.com

Theater exportBartlett Sher forces the East Coast cognoscenti to look west in admiration. First the Intiman Theatre’s artistic director nabbed the prize for outstanding regional theater, and now Sher’s ravishing, clear-eyed revival of South Pacific at Lincoln Center is the hot ticket for “some enchanted evening” of musical magic. The production has earned this local boy his share of critical accolades, including the 2008 Tony for Best Direction of a Musical. Bartlett Sher, Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St, Seattle Center, 206-269-1900; www.intiman.org

Neighborhood Arts ProjectCommunity theater on a shoestring, it’s not. To create Arts on Beacon Hill, Michael Perrone bought an old grocery store, overhauled the roofing, plumbing, and electrical, installed a coffee shop and 49-seat theater, then unveiled the result last spring. The resident company, Seattle Novyi Theatre, has a clear international flavor, with members from around the globe and a dedication to the Stanislavski acting system. Sound insane in this financial climate? “I’m 50,” Perrone jokes. “The closer to death you get, the less fearful you are of taking chances.” Arts on Beacon Hill, 4951 13th Ave S, Beacon Hill, 800-838-3006; www.seattlenovyi.org

Bargain TheaterFor its inaugural season this spring, Richard Hugo House’s resident company Next Stage mounted the twisted corporate satire Demonology, but its First Week Free initiative made a more impressive debut. Every opening week of every play this season (August 15 through September 7) will cost you no more than what you’re willing to pay to support local fringe theater. Up next is 43 Plays for 43 Presidents, which begins with George Washington and ends with George…well, you know. First Week Free, Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, Capitol Hill, 206-322-7030; www.nextstage.org

Vaudeville VenueThere are no bad seats at Columbia City Theater, the burlesque boîte where Jimi Hendrix got his start. A full bar helps patrons psych themselves up for circus-style high jinks, and unobstructed views are plenty—even at the back of the house—always important when you’ve come to see Tamara the Trapeze lady fly across the stage. Columbia City Theater, 4916 Rainier Ave S, Columbia City, 206-723-0088; www.columbiacitytheater.com

New Dance CompanyThat Julie Tobiason and Timothy Lynch had performed with the nationally acclaimed Pacific Northwest Ballet didn’t assure their Seattle Dance Project’s January debut would be a sure thing. Taking direction from an ambitious range of choreographers (Seattle’s Donald Byrd, New York’s Molissa Fenley), the nine-member troupe melds ballet technique with a modern-dance mind set. Sizable crowds showed up to what proved to be a polished, assured performance—see what had them cheering when the Project remounts the program July 25 and 26. Seattle Dance Project, Meydenbauer Center, 11100 NE Sixth St, Bellevue, 206-325-6500; www.seattledanceproject.org

Best of the Central Area

Boxing Gym

Students come out swinging at Cappy’s Boxing Gym, where Cappy Kotz—a former pro-boxing coach—presides over the grueling calisthenics and training sessions. Regular workouts at this neighborhood mainstay not only fix flab fast, they also help stressed-out sparrers release some serious aggression. Cappy’s Boxing Gym, 1408 22nd Ave, Central Area, 206-322-6410; www.cappysgym.com

Fried Chicken

Forget all that “finger lickin’ good” nonsense. The best fried poultry in the city, and maybe the world, comes from Ezell’s Famous Chicken. This CD mainstay marinates its birds for 24 hours in New Orleans–style seasoning, then cooks them to a satisfying crisp. Ezell’s Famous Chicken, 501 23rd Ave, Central Area, 206-324-4141; www.ezellschicken.com

Community Center

Yoga’s been all the rage for ages, but many lament the competitive spirit that’s crept into private studios. The Samarya Center gets back to basics with classes like Integrated Movement Therapy—aimed at helping yogis of all experience levels step onto the mat to cope with everything from depression to back pain. The Samarya Center, 1806 E Yesler Way, Central Area, 206-568-8335; www.samaryacenter.org

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Early Music ProgramOpera doesn’t get much earlier than Emilio de’ Cavalieri’s heaven-and-hell allegory The Portrayal of the Soul and the Body, composed in 1600. It had a comeback last fall when it premiered in Seattle with all the proper pomp and propriety, thanks to director Stephen Stubbs and his Seattle Academy of Baroque Opera. Stubbs will bring more such sacred musical history our way next spring with the debut of his company Pacific Operaworks, whose program begins with a staging of seventeenth-century composer Claudio Monteverdi’s Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria. Seattle Academy of Baroque Opera, www.seattleacademyofbaroqueopera.org

Classical Music SeriesWith virtuoso cellist Joshua Roman at the helm, Town Music pummeled at the boundaries of classical music presentation. Yes, there were some frustrations—one night found a performer thumping on his body as a means of percussive experimentation—but there was also an invigorating spirit of exploration as well as some crushingly beautiful music. Roman has since left the Symphony but, lucky for us, stayed on board at Town Hall for another season of playful programming. TownMusic, Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave, First Hill, 206-652-4255; www.townhallseattle.org

Art BarPart bar, part indie art gallery, and all brainchild of local guerrilla artists Greg Lundgren and Jeff Scott, The Hideout on First Hill draws artsy-fartsy types from all over the city with its velvet-draped interior and work by local artists hung salon style on every available vertical surface. If you’re feeling inspired, sit at the bar with a notoriously stiff drink and doodle or daydream or make music with the rim of your wine glass. No one’s going to stop you. The Hideout, 1005 Boren Ave, First Hill, 206-903-8480; www.vital5productions.com/projects/thehideout.html

New Concert VenueAnother legendary Seattle rock venue is born. Though the Fenix Underground went under in the same location, Showbox SoDo—sister to the Showbox at the Market—soared above and beyond expectations after opening last fall. The 22,000-square-foot space feels small enough to let performers appear almost up-close-and-personal, yet seemed large enough last February when burgeoning pop star Mika displayed a charismatic, stadium-size flamboyance that just about blew the roof off. Showbox SoDo, 1700 First Ave S, SoDo, 206-628-3151; www.showboxonline.com

DJ’sThat rocker dude must be on his way to Quinn’s, you think, watching him saunter across the street at Pike and 10th. But then he bypasses the hill’s yuppie-hipster drinks destination and walks into—what’s this?— The Wildrose, its oldest lesbian bar. Maybe he’s from out of town, or maybe he knows the Rose books some of the most dance-friendly DJs anywhere in town, and the anything-goes scene lures booty shakers of every orientation. It’s grown so popular that quaffers often have to queue up just to get a cocktail. Consider pregaming at Quinn’s. The Wildrose, 1021 E Pike St, Capitol Hill, 206-324-9210; www.thewildrosebar.com

Debut AlbumSup Pop veterans Mark Lanegan (of Screaming Trees) and Greg Dulli (of Afghan Whigs) have been signed before to Seattle’s archetypal music label, but this March marked their first release as the Gutter Twins. The blazing album, titled Saturnalia, was worth the wait: It’s a blistering, pointed plunge into the search for some idea of salvation. “Oh, heaven, it’s quite a climb,” we’re told on one song. Amen, brothers. Saturnalia, www.theguttertwins.com

R.I.P.

The Crocodile Café

The Crocodile Café, a refuge for Seattleites who grew up hating gym class, died on December 15, 2007. It was 16 years old. The Belltown music venue was instrumental in the spread of grunge, a form of rock and roll that sounds like good music played at half speed through a broken speaker. Known for historic performances by Nirvana, Mudhoney, and Pearl Jam, the club had recently suffered from crippling bouts of irrelevancy. Loved ones, however, fully expected the Croc to recover and were shocked to find the club lifeless on a cold winter evening. The cause of death was self-inflicted nonrenewal of building contract. The Crocodile is survived by balding men in Soundgarden T-shirts, many of whom were recently exposed to sunlight for the first time since 1991.

Venue ComebackOnce a cinema, then a stage for some of music’s most compelling acts (including the late, great Jeff Buckley in his last Seattle stand), King Cat Theater shut down and reemerged as a church before disappearing again. Now Arif Azhar—the brains behind Kirkland’s Bollywood-themed Totem Lake Cinemas—has purchased the venue, added a bar and lounge in the lobby, and promised to reopen in May with a full schedule of concerts, films (a little Bollywood, please?), and other events. King Cat Theater, 2130 Sixth Ave, Belltown, 206-448-2829; www.kingcattheater.com

HangoutThe University District has a handful of off-campus studenty cafés where UW-ers stop in for an afternoon study break and end up staying till last call, but Kurt Geissel has perfected the model, lining Café Racer Espresso with comfy old couches, a casual, joke-cracking staff, and a menu with new twists on folksy faves (try the bacon-infused hot dogs). Geissel named the place for a vintage British motorcycle, and, while the theme never really materialized, the perfect U District watering hole did. Café Racer Espresso, 5828 Roosevelt Way NE, University District, 206-523-5282

Music Lover’s LocaleHow Seattle is this? Two music-biz dudes open up a sake bar, then fill it with eco-friendly furniture and a mod rock soundtrack. After Carl Carlson’s art gallery Box Pop went kaput and Fallout Records’ Tim Hayes shut down his label, the two combined forces to create Tigertail: a sorghum-lined bar where Ballardites pop rainbow-chard-stuffed pot stickers then rehydrate with one of 15 different sakes, all while bopping their heads to garage rock and surf punk. Tigertail, 704 NW 65th St, Ballard, 206-781-8245; www.tigertail bar.com

Last CallIt may be Ballard’s last untapped treasure. How anyone can still find an empty seat between 10 and midnight at La Isla simply mystifies us. The Puerto Rican eatery’s late-night happy hour features $3 mojitos, and an eclectic, laughter-infused atmosphere that feels sun-drenched on even the wettest winter evening. La Isla, 2320 NW Market St, Ballard, 206-789-0516; www.laislaseattle.com

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MIND & BODY

RetreatBetween sessions, students shuffle in shushed serenity around the five acres of property at The Yoga Lodge on Whidbey Island—the retreat of choice for Seattle-area yoga, Pilates, and tai chi studios. Groups camp in tents or bunk down dorm style, while couples and solo soul searchers stay in the bed-and-breakfast and get in on the OM-my-God delicious morning meal featuring organic, island-grown produce. The Yoga Lodge, 3475 Christie Rd, Greenbank, 360-678-2120; www.yogalodge.com

Spa GetawaySeattle overflows with space—challenged urban spas, but if you want to truly achieve that getaway feeling, drive 30 minutes down I-90 to the spacious Spa at the Salish Lodge. A few hours inside this serene, warmly lit sanctuary, with its mineral soaking tubs and private massage rooms, will make any stressed-out city person feel far from the maddening crowd. The audible rush of the nearby waterfall makes for beautiful background music. Spa at the Salish Lodge, 6501 Railroad Ave SE, Snoqualmie, 425-888-2556; www.salishlodge.com

FacialIs it the limited sun exposure that keeps our faces so smooth, or is it facials at Napolitano Day Spa Salon? Longtime locals swear by co-owners Mary and Jerry Napolitano’s results-focused facials—which include home care tips and proper nutrition—to keep their skin wrinkle-free and glowing, come rain or shine. Last December, Napolitano opened a second location in Eastlake; it’s as much a low-key neighborhood affair as the Queen Anne original, and offers the same time-tested treatments. Napolitano Day Spa Salon, 3212 Harvard Ave E, Eastlake, 206-838-4700. 614 W McGraw St, Queen Anne, 206-282-4343; www.napolitanospa.com

Russian BathThe Russians have invaded our city, and they’ve brought with them their timeworn tricks for coping with sun deprivation. Learn them at Banya 5, the authentic Old World bathhouse that blends deep-penetrating heat and exhilarating cold. Spa-goers follow a sauna sweat session with a plunge into a 55-degree pool, then head next door to Venik Lounge for vodka shots—another proven mood lifter that comes courtesy of the Slavs. Banya 5, 217 Ninth Ave N, South Lake Union, 206-262-1234; www.banya5.com

RolferRolfer Anthony Rezac recently relocated to Seattle after a long stint realigning out-of-form New Yorkers, and thank goodness he’s back. You may whimper when he jams his elbow into your hip to get the soft tissue loose, but you will leave his office feeling like you’re walking on air. Best of all, Rezac’s upbeat aura and consummate conversation skills keep clients calm and entertained throughout intense and intimate treatments. Anthony Rezac, 609 10th Ave E, Capitol Hill. 10220 NE First Pl, Bellevue, 917-414-3073; www.rolfing.rezac.net

Urban SanctuaryContemplative strolls abound at the formal, Shin-style Japanese Garden in the Washington Park Arboretum, home to a quietly whispering world of maples, conifers, bamboo, rhododendrons, and mosses. Once serenity seekers reach the shrub-lined lake, they grab a seat near the shore to take in the lush and peaceful Eastern Eden. Japanese Garden in the Washington Park Arboretum, 1075 Lake Washington Blvd E, Madison Park, 206-684-4725; www.seattle.gov/parks/parkspaces/japanesegarden.htm

Pilates InstructorIt may raise eyebrows in other cities, but the name Misty Moon Nickel seems almost commonplace in hippie-saturated Seattle. Her results-oriented approach to Pilates, however, is anything but. The veteran instructor has a knack for tailoring individual workouts, whether the goal is to rehab a serious spinal injury or buff up a booty for boat-lounging season. It’s also a fun place to exercise. Nickel’s mantra, “feel good after, feel good during,” shows in the smiles and laughter that permeate her Interbay studio. Misty Moon Nickel, Bria Pilates, 1107 Elliott Ave W, Interbay, 206-781-4576; www.briaseattle.com

Fitness for a CauseNext time you’re hoofing it around Green Lake, don’t be alarmed if you’re lapped by a bunch of ladies wearing purple T-shirts. They’re Team Survivor Northwest, the nonprofit whose members meet up to work out—pedal Seward Park, take swimming classes, or train for triathlons—and create community, hope, and strength among women receiving treatment for or recovering from cancer. If you’ve got some exercise expertise, sign up to teach or train—they may even offer you a shirt. Team Survivor Northwest, 200 NE Pacific St, Ste 101, Wallingford, 206-732-8350; www.teamsurvivornw.org

No-Nonsense Yogi

Troy Lucero

You can’t swing a sticky mat in Seattle without hitting a yoga instructor. There are more than 1,000 teachers in the city, and nearly 100 each in Redmond and Bellevue. But for circumspect types turned off by cherry-picked spiritual messages and sloppy self-help mantras, Troy Lucero is the man.

It’s not that Lucero isn’t the spiritual sort: A Colorado transplant who moved here in 2002, he has devoted years to a serious study of Eastern religious traditions. But when it comes to teaching yoga basics, Lucero chooses movement and breathing over incense and sutras. His no-nonsense approach has earned him a devoted Seattle following, one that includes some of the area’s other celebrated instructors. “He’s a rare gem in the community,” says Laura Defreitas of Yoga Nidra. “Troy brings yoga down to earth.”

Given his résumé, Lucero could have taught at any number of studios around town (his mentor is yoga legend Richard Freeman) but chose Capitol Hill’s Velocity Dance Center instead. “I like Velocity because there’s no sheen of pseudo philosophy,” he says. “I can say, ‘Let’s just do some work.’”

And students do work up a sweat during his Ashtanga-style classes, bending themselves into complicated poses that challenge their balance and strength while maintaining a calm, steady breath. Lucero enhances and inspires their practice by expertly adjusting alignment, demonstrating proper form, and offering practical tips on applying the lessons of yoga to everyday life. Troy Lucero, Velocity Dance Center, 915 E Pine St, Ste 200, Capitol Hill, 206-325-8773; www.velocitydancecenter.org

New DetoxWhole Foods, Banya 5, and now a new spa: South Lake Union has become quite the natural-health neighborhood. At Vida Spa, the just-opened Ayurvedic treatment center in the Pan Pacific Hotel (the Canadian company’s first U.S. location), guests who pick the Swedana treatment detoxify inside a cedar steam cabinet that comes custom-stuffed with a blend of herbs based on their dosha, or Ayurvedic type. Their skin-smoothing to-go products are equally herbalicious and smell like a classier, more subtle version of patchouli—if you can imagine such a thing. Vida Spa, 2200 Westlake Ave, South Lake Union, 206-264-8432; www.vidawellness.com

New Tea ShopIn the city of more than 600 coffee shops, Ballard’s Miro Tea offers a calm respite from the daily grind. Elliot Knapp, Miro’s staff tea specialist, samples new blends from around the world as he offers his customers advice on which tea to drink to ward off a cold (Immunity, with peppermint and licorice root) or a sore throat (spicy cinnamon ginseng). If it’s too steamy outside for something steeped, the Hemingway is a superhealthy, antioxidant-packed quencher, though Papa probably would have preferred something with more spirit. Miro Tea, 5405 Ballard Ave NW, Ballard, 206-782-6832; www.mirotea.com

New-Age EducationWith shop locations both east (Bothell) and west (Ravenna) of Lake Washington, East West Bookshop ensures that Seattle-area new agers are never too far from their next spiritual awakening. The stores offer near-daily readings, lessons, and workshops on subjects like yogic chanting, chakras, the I Ching, and collage-making—check their Web site to see what’s up next on their packed schedule of enriching and uplifting lectures and events. East West Bookshop, 6500 Roosevelt Way NE, Ravenna, 206-523-3726. 22833 Bothell Everett Hwy, Ste 150, Bothell, 425-487-8786; www.eastwestbookshop.com

Spiritual BookstoreOwner Tess Sterling describes her Bellevue boutique Stargazers Bookstore and Gallery as a “bookstore for the mind, a gift store for the heart, and a gallery for the soul.” Even Eastsiders whose decorating style doesn’t lean toward fairies and dream catchers enjoy meandering the many-chambered metaphysical library, and Sterling’s on-site healing center is one of the Seattle area’s most celebrated spots for receiving Reiki, an ancient Japanese relaxation technique. Stargazers Bookstore and Gallery, 12727 Northup Way, Ste 10, Bellevue, 425-885-7289; www.stargazersbookstore.com

DecoratorJanani Lucas swears her cleansing rituals and positive-energy tips have chased bad juju from clients’ houses and helped move many a once—unsellable lot off the market. The Spirit of Place owner and good-vibes guru provides insight into color choice, furniture arrangement, and a host of other details to get the chi moving freely. “It isn’t ‘Move a desk, change your life,’ ” says Lucas, “but feng shui can shift the odds in your favor.” The Spirit of Place, 206-361-9382; www.fengshuithespiritofplace.com

Thai Restaurant

Even locals rely on GPS to locate Noodle Boat Thai Cuisine, tucked in the far end of an Issaquah strip mall. But the superfresh ingredients, attentive service, and stellar pad thai are ample reward for the search. Note to the spice sensitive: The chef has a generous hand with the chili peppers; choose heat level accordingly. Noodle Boat Thai Cuisine, 700 NW Gilman Blvd, Ste E104, Issaquah, 425-391-8096; www.noodleboat.com

Doggie Boot Camp

Manners-challenged mutts learn what’s what during Riverdog’s three-week-long Training C.A.M.P. The rigorous program teaches tricks, commands, and techniques for playing well with other pooches. The program has proven so intense, trainers started scheduling an afternoon nap for pooped-out pups. Riverdog, 1400 19th Ave NW, Issaquah, 425-427-5958; www.riverdogk9.com

Outdoor Festival

Early each October, Issaquah welcomes spawning coho, chinook, and sockeye salmon back to its downtown hatchery with theIssaquah Salmon Days Festival. Thousands of families turn out for live music, a 60-foot, inflatable salmon, a beloved annual parade, and 2,000 pounds of grilled salmon. Issaquah Salmon Days Festival, Downtown Issaquah, 425-392-0661; www.salmondays.org

Baby-Planning ServiceAny baby book can recommend a stroller; to know which can conquer Seattle’s hills, however, you’ll need Kelly Oswald. Armed with a masters degree in public health and inspired by her own experience giving birth to her daughter, Oswald founded Seattle Baby Planners, a consulting service for mothers-to-be that helps with both the mundane, like decking out the nursery, finding flattering maternity clothing (yes, it exists); and also the major, like picking a pediatrician and crafting an effective maternity-leave proposal. Seattle Baby Planners, 206-274-1493; seattlebabyplanners.com

Splash SpotWhen the sun’s in the sky and school’s out for summer, every kid dreams of getting wet at a water park—even the rain-drenched children of Seattle. Renton’s Henry Moses Aquatic Center has all the trappings of a special place—an 8,000-square-foot pool, a wave machine, two winding slides—and requires very little travel and expense. Henry Moses Aquatic Center, 1719 Maple Valley Hwy, Renton, 425-430-6780; www.rentonwa.gov

Brainy Birthday PartiesDo your left-brained little ones love the Sci-Fi Museum? Wait until they meet Proton Pam, Tsunami Shaw, and Jammin’ Joy—the peppy performers on the Mad Science of Sno-King team. In the spirit of celebrated Seattleite Bill Nye the Science Guy, these clowns in white lab coats show up to kids’ birthday bashes and mesmerize through a series of stagey experiments: blowing out candles from across the room, converting party guests into electricity conductors, and unlocking the mysteries surrounding dry ice. Mad Science of Sno-King, 1824 130th Ave NE, Ste 2, Bellevue, 425-556-0800; www.madsciencefun.com

Tea PartyWhat is it with kids and tea parties? Whatever it is, they’ve got it in abundance at the Queen Mary Tea Room, Queen City’s chintz-lined bastion of English civility, presided over by true-blue Anglophile Mary Greengo. The limited seating fills up quickly, so call for reservations for your afternoon tea date. Insider’s note: All you have to do is ask for a tiara, and matching crowns will be provided for your whole party. How very regal. Queen Mary Tea Room, 2912 NE 55th St, Ravenna, 206-527-2770; www.queenmarytea.com

R.I.P.

Sunset Bowl

Sunset Bowl, a hub for one of the last indoor family activities that doesn’t involve Ryan Seacrest, died on April 14, 2008, at the age of 51. The beloved Ballard bowling alley had outfitted generations of lane jockeys with goofy leather rental shoes, which, for a season in the mid-’90s, became surprisingly hip. Patrons will dearly miss the sensation of sliding across the polished wood floors, the sound of pins toppling, and the satisfaction of belittling their friends for every gutter ball. Sunset Bowl is survived by Tony and Brian, bowling partners since 2003, who will now likely never resolve their argument on whether you roll a better game on four or five beers.

PlaygroundTalk about community spirit. Local volunteers designed, funded, and built the Saint Edward State Park Playground—a sprawling wooden monument to fun at Kenmore’s massive Saint Edward park—braving splinters and sunburn to create the largest children’s playground in Washington State. And what a glorious place it is: Unofficially dubbed Castle Park, it boasts winding slides, swings, and monkey bars divided by turreted chambers perfectly designed for hide-and-seek; a climbing wall; and a separate area where the wee ones can toddle about at a safe distance from the big kids. Saint Edward State Park Playground, 14445 Juanita Dr NE, Kenmore, 425-823-2992; parks.wa.gov/parkpage

Gym on WheelsSix years ago, Bellevue-based Dizzy (“That’s what everyone calls me”) Fukutomi quit corporate life, bought a classic yellow school bus, and converted it into Dizzy’s Tumblebus, a mobile jungle gym equipped with slides and trampolines. Since then the bus has pulled up to schools and parties all over the Eastside, eliciting extreme excitement from cooped-up kids. The bus has become so beloved that, last year, Fukutomi opened Dizzy’s Bus Stop in Bellevue, a stationary play place where parents can stay or drop the kids off for a few hours of staff-supervised tumblin’ fun. Dizzy’s Tumblebus, 3205 148th Ave SE, Ste E, Bellevue, 425-564-8287; www.dizzybus.com

Kiddie GardenIt’s mud pies with a purpose. Seattle’s youngest citizens learn about plants, flowers, and insects while digging in the dirt during visits to the Seattle Tilth Children’s Garden, a soil-filled swimming pool entirely planted, cultivated, and loved by local children. Sign your offspring up early for year-round programs, events, and classes like Insect-o-Rama, Harvest Hoopla, and Fabulous Flowers. They might even start helping around the yard. Seattle Tilth Children’s Garden, 4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Rm 120, Wallingford, 206-633-0451; www.seattletilth.org/kids

KitesWhen the rain finally ceases and the sky turns blue, Emerald City kids (not to mention its grown-ups) go instantly kite crazy, and Gasworks Park Kite Shop stocks all the supplies they need to get airborne. Owner Kathy Goodwind (she changed her name from Goodwin) set up shop in 1979 and today carries her own designs as well as locally made stunt kites. Should your contraption sustain any crash-related injuries, Goodwind also performs kite repairs. Gasworks Park Kite Shop, 3420 Stone Way N, Wallingford, 206-633-4780; www.gasworksparkkiteshop.com

Children’s FestivalIt’s called The Seattle International Children’s Festival, but producing director Brian Faker scours the globe in search of spectacles that will entertain and educate Rain City culture lovers of any age. And does he deliver. Every year in May, his global performers descend upon Seattle Center to create a one-of-a-kind event with exotic delights like Japanese puppet theater, Guinean drummers, Israeli comedy acts, and dozens of others that will change your notion of children’s theater entirely. The Seattle International Children’s Festival, 305 Harrison St, Seattle Center, 206-325-6500; www.seattleinternational.org

ConcertTanglewood, shmanglewood. The Northwest has its own idyllic summer chamber-music experience, the Olympic Music Festival. For the past 25 years the Philadelphia Quartet has hosted this summer musical series—held on a 55-acre dairy farm that happens to house a barn with pitch-perfect acoustics—and the foursome’s masterfully performed Mozart and Bach repertoire harmonizes perfectly with the warm summer sun, soft baying of animals at the nearby petting zoo, and breathtaking mountain backdrop. Olympic Music Festival, 7360 Center Rd, Quilcene, 360-732-4800; www.olympicmusicfestival.org

Kids’ RaceA fun way to whip little ones into shape, the Seattle Kids’ Marathon really does expect children to cover 26.2 miles—just not in one day. Rug rats jog the first 25 miles over a few weeks (supervised by an adult), leaving the last 1.2-mile stretch for the day of the actual race. Created by director Louise Long, the marathon is meant to encourage kids along the path to lifelong fitness; and the training plan also includes reading 13 books and doing 13 good deeds by race day. Now that’s what we call healthy competition. Seattle Kids’ Marathon, 206-729-3660; www.seattlemarathon.org/kids/register.htm

Dance ClassesHigh standards, state-of-the-art studio space, and the most driven little ballet, tap, and jazz students in the Seattle area set Sandra Baca’s British Dancing Academy apart from the pirouetting pack. Following the Royal Academy of Dancing’s strict curriculum, her on-point instructors emphasize technique and individual instruction, catering to each student’s ability and talents. British Dancing Academy, 1500 S 336th St, Federal Way, 253-838-4999. 18403 E Valley Hwy, Kent, 425-235-0304; www.britishdancingacademy.com

Zen Dog Trainer

Grisha Stewart

In 2003, Grisha Stewart, a theoretical mathematician and author of an award-winning masters thesis, suddenly found herself fascinated with canine behavior. She read 50 training books in one summer, and, not long after, left the rarefied world of axioms and arithmetic and began her education in sit and stay, which started at the Humane Society in Bellevue and culminated in a course at the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training and Behavior. Along the way Stewart encountered the “force free” clicker-training approach and eventually devoted herself entirely to forging harmonious communions between pooch owners and their pets.

Today this most celebrated Seatown trainer operates out of her Ballard-based behavior center, Ahimsa. A Sanskrit word meaning “nonviolence,” Ahimsa aptly sums up Stewart’s approach. “My method is about controlling the dogs through their noses and brains rather than through pain,” says Stewart.

Ahimsa’s clients learn a positive-association technique that would make Pavlov proud: Each time owners give their pet a treat—as a reward for sitting on command, for instance—they also press down on a clicker. Eventually the dog associates the click with something positive and no longer needs a treat as motivation to behave.

Ahimsa teachers also encourage clients to connect emotionally with their pets and insist on a mutually respectful relationship. It’s clear that Seattle’s peace-loving pet-owning population is digging her dogma: Ahimsa’s clientele has doubled each year since its inception. Grisha Stewart, Ahimsa Dog Training, 902 NW 49th St, Ballard, 206-364-4072; www.ahimsadogtraining.com

Bird BoutiqueSeattle’s best-loved birdies start their lives at Denise’s Parrot Place on Mercer Island. The noisy shop, presided over by Zoe, a massive blue macaw who loudly greets all who enter, is well stocked in verbose and brightly-colored birds: conures, hyacinths, African greys, cockatoos, and other species, many of whom were raised nearby by Denise’s avian-adoring staffers. Impulse adoptions are never an option: Customers are required to schedule several supervised visits with a feathered friend before they can elect to take the bird home. Denise’s Parrot Place, 7641 SE 27th St, Mercer Island, 206-232-8115; www.myparrot.com

Art CampAh, to be a kid in Seattle, spending summer days painting watercolors or building 3D castles under the tutelage of a kindly artist, strolling out to nearby Meridian Park when in need of inspiration. With her children, grandchildren, and former students, Brit-born Linda Demirel Barnes runs Neo Art School year round out of Wallingford’s Good Shepherd Center, and in summer she invites art-loving kids to create all day long or for half-days, exploring every possible form as they develop their skill with her crew of attentive teachers. Neo Art School, 4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Rm 121, Wallingford, 206-632-2530; www.neoartschool.com

Pony CampLocal kids live out their pony dreams at Pony Paradise Rides’ day camp. During weeklong sessions at the Woodinville farm, children ages seven and up (there’s a separate peewee camp for little ones) learn to ride, groom, and care for the ponies, take lessons in breeding and farming, and even paint wooden horse statues during arts and crafts class. Yes, it will feed their obsession for all things equine; and it will also make their summer. Pony Paradise Rides, 8107 224th St SE, Woodinville, 800-753-7669; www.ponyparadiserides.com

Dog WalkerWe do love our dogs—over 60 percent of Seattle households have pooches—but exercising them? Not so much. Pooped-out pup owners trust David the Dog Walker, David Hogan’s West Seattle walking and training business, to take over leash duty. Hogan’s crack team—all well-educated and enthusiastic canine experts—make sure their furry charges get good workouts and even sneak a few training techniques and commands into the walk as well. David the Dog Walker, 206-753-7677; www.davidthedog walker.com

Cat SitterIf Queen City cats seem exceptionally well adjusted, we have Lynne Madrigal, owner of Lap of Luxury Professional Cat Care, to thank. This longtime friend to felines quit her job in social services in 1997 to devote herself full-time to Seattle-area kitties, traveling to clients’ homes each day they are out of town to feed their pets, administer medicines, and stay to play for an hour or so. She even sends owners daily emails detailing how the fluff balls are faring. Lap of Luxury Professional Cat Care, 206-217-0317; www.lapofluxury.info

Dog WashTrained as an architect, Dina Hidaka left the dog-eat-dog world of corporate design to open Redmond’s Ruff House, a self-service pooch primping station that’s saving bathrooms across the Seattle area from fur-clogged drains and muddy paw prints. Among the features lining Hidaka’s custom tubs: a dander vacuum and a foaming system that expedites soap removal. Lather up Fido at the 161st Street location or at the new Ruff House inside Marymoor Park, and leave the home shower to the humans. Ruff House, 8058 161st St NE, Redmond, 425-556-5103; www.ruffhouse.net

Dog TreatsNamed for owner Mark Smith’s boxer, Railey’s Leash and Treat in Fremont is Shangri-la for Seattleites who love to spoil their dogs. Shelves spill over with goodies made with natural ingredients and doggie-friendly flavors—like the shop’s specialty, the peanut-butter-pickle-chip cookie. The treats taste so good, Smith says, he’s been known to have a nibble now and again. Railey’s Leash and Treat, 513 N 36th St, Fremont, 206-632-5200; www.raileys.com

Foreign-Language Story Hour

Once upon a time, two forward-thinking folks started the White Center Library’s foreign-language story hour. Led by Vietnamese librarian Loan Phun and Chilean musician Marco Cortes, the rollicking tale times offer kids a rare chance to hear old stories in new tongues.White Center Library, 11220 16th Ave SW, White Center, 206-243-0233; www.kcls.org/whitecenter

Event PlannersSeattle teems with creative types such as the ad execs at Wexley School for Girls, who bring an outlandish aesthetic to the corporate table. In that proud-to-be-weird spirit Aviva Palmer and Cori Ready, the party planners at The Adventure School, have shaken up Seattle’s events scene, transforming weddings, private parties, and corporate hobnobs into other-worldly scenes where cupcakes take the shape of snowballs, stilt walkers serve drinks, and mimes mingle (albeit silently) with the crowds. The Adventure School, 802 Sixth Ave S, Ste 6, SoDo, 206-354-3752; www.theadventureschool.com

Foodie Web SiteBecky Selengut fondly recalls her first trip to Seattle, when she walked Madrona’s streets snacking on fresh pears picked from backyard trees. Moving here in 1997, Selengut toiled in local restaurants, including the Herbfarm, then started her own chef business whipping up organic, 10-course meals for dinner parties. She also founded Seasonal Cornucopia, an indispensable online resource providing seasonal information for over 275 Northwest ingredients. A Web database detailing when and where to buy local produce? Sounds like someone’s gone native. Seasonal Cornucopia, www.seasonalcornucopia.com

Produce DeliveryLong before the word “locavore” entered the American lexicon, Seattle-area shoppers regularly sought out all-natural produce grown nearby, and Carolyn Boyle’s New Roots Organics brought it to them. Since 1999, she has delivered luscious bundles of organic, recently picked produce to doorsteps all over the city, providing ingredients for countless low-impact, highly tasty meals. We’re just happy the rest of the world has caught on. New Roots Organics, 6259 Third Ave NW, Phinney Ridge, 206-261-2500; www.newrootsorganics.com

Self-Defense TrainersOur city’s one of the country’s safest, but when a crime wave hit Capitol Hill last year, denizens turned to self-defense studio Home Alive, where students kick and scream their way to safety during a three-hour “basics” course or develop their thug-thrashing skills through an intensive series. A true neighborhood gem, the 15-year-old nonprofit—founded by friends of a musician murdered on Capitol Hill—offers everyone the opportunity to feel buffer, tougher, and ready to take on the world. Home Alive, 1415 10th Ave, Ste 3, Capitol Hill, 206-323-4663; www.homealive.org

Jogging CoachNo city in America logs more hours of hard-core cardio, but when Rain City needs a push to get off its tush, Tony Williams is its go-to jogging guru. The elite athlete started his coaching company Always Running in 1993, and today offers one-on-one training plus organized group runs at trail sites in and around town. Every level of fitness is welcome, but prepare to feel the burn: Signing up with Always Running has a way of making you feel like you’re doing just that. Always Running, 7300 E Green Lake Dr N, Greenlake, 206-985-7405; www.alwaysrunning.com

Skin CareEvery entrepreneur should live here a while before opening up shop; that way they’d understand that though Seattleites love to be pampered, we hate to be pandered to. Jessica Campbell, Spa Scotta owner and Seattleite since 1993, knows her city, and has perfected a warm, low-key approach—clients awaiting treatment casually browse Scotta’s sweet little boutique or relax with banana chips and bottled water in a comfy area apart from the lobby—as well as effective skin care services like the High Frequency Treatment, which targets patients’ worst dermatological woes. Spa Scotta, 4915 25th Ave NE, Ste 103W, University District, 206-522-5800; www.spascotta.com

Hair RemovalAround these parts, people like to be well prepared for a day of sunshine, and High Maintenance Salon owner Naomi Lewis’s almost ouch-free waxing technique keeps our bikini lines beach ready. Combining oil and an Australian hard wax, Lewis creates a gooey elixir that vacuum seals the hair, and, once removed, leaves less irritation and fewer bumps than a traditional wax—so you can slip into your Speedos at a moment’s notice. High Maintenance Salon, 1706 Bellevue Ave, Capitol Hill, 206-322-6939; www.highmaintenanceskin.com

Green Thumb Girl

Amy Pennington

Forget the 100-mile diet: Amy Pennington wants us living off our own backyards. Raised on a Long Island farmstead, this veggie guru has spent her life tending edible gardens. Earning her culinary chops, however, took eight years of working for Tom Douglas Restaurants, where she did a little of everything: hostessing at Palace Kitchen, running operations at Dahlia Bakery; she still produces Douglas’s radio show. Her tenure with Tom taught Pennington all about season-based cooking, but things really came together during a course at the Quillisascut School for the Domestic Arts. “After that I was like, I’m done not eating seasonally; I want to grow food,” Pennington says.

Returning to Seattle, Pennington created an organic garden for some friends, and gradually took on clients. Today Go Go Green Garden maintains 11 private veggie-and-fruit plots in the Seattle area, and helps wannabe growers get their own private P-Patches up and running.

Backyard eating requires a lifestyle commitment, so Pennington shows clients ways to use spoils before they spoil: boiling up long-lasting tomato comfits and baking veggie tarts that can be frozen and reheated. “I want people to eat healthier,” says Pennington. “It’s not that hard, and it’s superdelicious. You just have to get a little creative.” Amy Pennington, Go Go Green Garden, 206-571-5646; www.gogogreengarden.com

MotorcyclesInspired by his passion for vintage racing bikes, Seattle native Ian Halcott left the family fudge biz (his wife’s parents own Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory) to open Twinline Motorcycles, and his one-of-a-kind, motorized masterpieces are already dropping jaws in the cycle community. On any given day, Seatown’s seasoned speeders call upon Halcott and crew to build bikes to their exact specifications, track down hard-to-find parts, or just hang out and talk shop. Twinline Motorcycles, 6501 E Marginal Way S, Georgetown, 206-768-8686; www.twinlinemotorcycles.com

Bike RepairOur city has an uncommon bond with its bicycles. So when our trusty rides fall upon hard times, we don’t let any old tinkerer tune up our recumbents and fixed gears. We call Kenny Hamm, The Bicycle Doctor. Hamm has been traveling around town for 18 years in his parts- and tools-packed truck, bestowing his tender touch on every gear adjustment, brake tightening, and parts inspection. The Bicycle Doctor, 206-789-7336; www.bicycledoctor.com

Image ConsultantFrancine Park’s Kirkland boutique Promesse has elevated the Eastside to a fashion-forward burb of the first order, and the influence of her “effortlessly chic” aesthetic can be seen on downtown Seattle’s stylish set as well. When it’s time for a total overhaul Park will come aboard as your personal image consultant, unleashing her considerable expertise (garnered during stints at Prada and Saks Fifth Avenue) on your wardrobe to transform it into a cohesive ready-to-wear wonderland fine-tuned to your tastes and lifestyle. Francine Park, Promesse, 128 Central Way, Kirkland, 425-828-4259; www.shoppromesse.com

Do-GooderNinety percent of life is just showing up, and the staff at Seattle Works knows that’s especially true when it comes volunteering, so they’ve made it easy for our city’s altruistic young adults to turn good intentions into good works. Twenty- and thirtysomethings simply log on to the Works Web site, sign up for one of dozens of fun volunteer events—refurbishing school science kits, restoring parkland—and before they know it, “shoulda, woulda, coulda” turns into “done.” Seattle Works, 312 First Ave N, Ste 200, Lower Queen Anne, 206-324-0808; www.seattleworks.org

OrganizersBlame it on our passion for recycling: We Seattleites just don’t like to throw things away. Christa Patchen Wagner, founder of Savvy Solutions Organized helps her clutter-bug clients sort out what’s worthy of saving and what’s gotta go. Nostalgic types needn’t stress: Wagner’s service can actually help uncover the important things; she fondly remembers watching a couple unearth a box of their decade-old love letters while cleaning out a storage room. Savvy Solutions Organized, 206-227-5792; www.savvysolutionsllc.com

Children’s Consignment

Right at home on family-friendly Beacon, Buggyoffers an artful blend of new and used goods for the newborn-to-six set. Owners Heather Hollenbeck and Sarah Dublin (Dublin’s lucky two-year-old gets dibs on fresh consignments) play to Seattle tastes with locally made tees, organic bath products, and recycled totes.Buggy, 3315 Beacon Ave S, Beacon Hill, 206-325-5999; www.buggybeacon.com

Filipino Restaurant

Locals convene at friendly Kusina Filipina for homey fare that hits the tangy-sweet spot. The people’s pick: kalderta, a tasty beef stew with just the right touch of chili and tomato. But you also won’t want to miss the longanisa, housemade sausages with a sweet glaze.Kusina Filipina, 3201 Beacon Ave S, Beacon Hill, 206-322-9433

Barbershop

A whiff of the hill’s Italian immigrant past lingers at Gary’s Barbershop, a fixture on Beacon for 44 years, and debonair barber and former Cubs pitcher Gary Tomlan has no plans to retire. Welders, teachers, and retired military guys—joined occasionally by ex-governor Al Rosellini or sausage king Art Oberto—gather religiously to swap tales over doughnuts (morning crew) and whiskey (afternoon shift). Gary’s Barbershop, 4856 Beacon Ave S, Beacon Hill, 206-722-9925

Thai Massage

An East Coast transplant, Nityia Przewlockicame to Seattle for massage school, but found her home amid the entrepreneurs-in-Birkenstocks she befriended here. Since 1991 she’s been developing her totally unique, deeply therapeutic Thai massage and deep-tissue technique, and her kind, intimate approach leaves clients feeling relaxed, renewed, and like they just met their new best pal. Nityia Przewlocki, 206-778-0191; www.thaimassageseattle.com

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SHOPPING & STYLE

InvitationsSeattle may be full of early adopters, but we know when Web apps are tired, too, and in the post–Evite Age bland digital blasts just won’t do. Instead head to mother-daughter owned Paper Delights in Wallingford for thoroughly inviting paper invites. Local designer Natalie Eden’s ’40s retro-styled notes announce a get-together in honor of the new baby, while an invite in the shape of a flip-flop, complete with a ribbon thong, brings news of a pool party. Paper Delights, 2205 N 45th St, Ste B, Wallingford, 206-547-1002; www.paperdelights.com

Craft SuppliesIt all started with the sacrifice of a BMW motorcycle. In 1977, Seattle printmaker Daniel Smith traded his prized possession for equipment to make his own inks. Now he peddles those paints worldwide and has two Seattle-area stores where Sunday dabblers and serious artistes can pick up Lyptus-wood easels, fine imported brushes, and hand-pressed Amate paper. Daniel Smith, 4510 First Ave S, SoDo, 206-223-9599. 15112 NE 24th St, Bellevue, 425-643-1781; www.danielsmith.com

Bargain GiftsWashington is one of just two lucky states with whom the Japanese share Daiso, a modern, Eastern take on the general store. Hidden in the belly of Westlake Center, the Seattle shop sells 80 percent of its goods—cutesy stationery sets, white porcelain rice bowls, bamboo salad spoons, fruit-shaped shower—curtain rings—for under $2 (and almost nothing over $10). Daiso, 400 Pine St, Ste 36, Downtown, 206-625-0076; www.daiso-sangyo.co.jp/english

Fun GiftsIn a city all about personal style, a gift certificate to a big-box store just won’t do. A Sam Trout tee or an überpreppy recipe album from Cath Kidston make much better choices, and you’ll find them at Andaluz, Karla Esquivel’s Columbia City boutique. Your conscientious compadres will love the locally designed baubles, while nostalgic gag gifts—a ’50s inspired mini shoe-shine kit, for instance—make perfect presents for the vintage lover in your life. Andaluz, 4908 Rainier Ave S, Columbia City, 206-760-1900; www.andaluzseattle.com

New BoutiqueDesign student Ly Tran dreams of having her own line some day. For now she has Bossi and Ich Ky, the chic new Pioneer Square shop filled with avant-garde yet approachable fashion for women and men (her boyfriend Tran Nguyen helps mind the store). What’s in a name? Bossi is their play on “bossy,” for him, and Ich Ky is Vietnamese for “selfish” for her—but we’re not buying it. This stylish Seattle couple is as sweet as can be. Bossi and Ich Ky, 112 First Ave S, Pioneer Square, 206-749-2830; www.bossiandichky.com

Teen TogsFashion-forward young things from both sides of the floating bridge fill Aritzia (one of two American stores by the Vancouver-based chain) where mirror-lined walls set the scene. Trendy teens—and thirtysomethings who can’t resist their fleeting fads—score bright,’80s-style hoodies by TNA and ultradark Rock and Republic denim, and no girl with a tiered tulip skirt can resist the shop’s customizable leggings. Aritzia, 118 Bellevue Square, Bellevue, 425-450-2287; www.aritzia.com

Mother-Daughter AttireShe taught you to accessorize, you taught her to show off her assets, and neither of you can resist a silk slip dress. Stylish Seatown ladies of all ages find much to covet amidst the brocade pencil skirts and chiffon tops of Les Amis, Becky Buford’s utterly charming and exceptionally well-curated Fremont boutique. Les Amis, 3420 Evanston Ave N, Fremont, 206-632-2877; www.lesamis-inc.com

DesignerFor nine years, Russian-born Seattle designer Madina Vadache has been sending brides down the aisle in inspired couture gowns, but this winter she’ll send her forward-thinking designs down the runway in New York’s Bryant Park. With a team of five local seamstresses, fabric specialists, and stylists, everything about her form-fitting fashions—punctuated by rich, inky colors, volume, and shimmer—says, “Here I am.” Madina Vadache, www.madinavadache.com

Indie ClothingNo one does vintage-chic style quite like Northwesterners, and no one in the Northwest blends old and new quite so seamlessly as Last Waltz proprietress Cybele Phillips. Just look what she’s done with an erstwhile Central Area storefront church: Under the soft glow of a lamp whose flower-shaped shade once served as a gramophone horn, a navy-blue jumper from local designer Suzabelle looks as timeless and romantic as the ’60s plaid skirt hanging nearby. Last Waltz, 1406 18th Ave, Central Area, 206-328-5512; www.lastwaltzboutique.com

Best Eye in Bellevue

Angie Lee

Armed with an irreverent approach to style and a degree from LA’s Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Vancouver native Angie Lee has spent the last four years rising through the ranks at Nordstrom’s Bellevue store. Her unique approach to buying and intimate understanding of our city’s culture has earned her a spot at the forefront of local style. “Seattle is fashionable town that’s also practical,” says the department manager of Via C, the cutting-edge shop found only in Nordstrom’s first tier stores. “People here love expressing their individuality in a way that fits their lifestyle.”

It’s Lee’s job to bring Seattle the offbeat pieces we crave. On buying trips, she ignores fads in favor of “attitude,” placing garments and accessories in categories like “hobo,” “avant garde,” “spicy,” and “weirdo.” She may be the only one who understands it, but Lee’s system works: Bellevue’s Via C is filled with worldly wares that are comfy and durable enough to fit our city’s casual, work-to-evening lifestyle. “When you dress for yourself rather than wearing what other people expect,” says Lee, “it looks effortless, even if you did take an hour to pick out your outfit.” Lucky for us, Lee keeps bringing us clothes that fit us to a tee, divining what we want way before we know we want it. Angie Lee, Nordstrom Bellevue, 100 Bellevue Square, Bellevue, 425-455-5800; www.nordstrom.com

Poster ArtNo, not that iconic image of Farrah Fawcett in a red bathing suit, or any of the great screen-printed rock-concert art for which Seattle designers and collectors are known. At Michael Maslan’s eponymous, nationally regarded shop, ethnographic photos, frail antique correspondence, and old picture postcards surround tables stacked high with gorgeous vintage travel, war, and advertising poster art—all highly suitable for framing. Michael Maslan, 109 University St, Downtown, 206-587-0187

LingerieJennifer Carroll didn’t know what she was getting into when she splurged on her first hundred-dollar-pair of Parisian panties. Today she fills her Fremont boutique, Bellefleur, with the objects of her obsessions: the frilliest, sweet pink tutu thongs are paired with embroidered brassieres, while coral silk nightgowns slip over cream Simone Perle sets. Ooh la la, indeed. Bellefleur, 720 N 35th St, Fremont, 206-545-0222; www.bellefleurlingerie.com

Street ShoesSometimes you want to make a statement, and sometimes you just want to skate. At Goods street-wear shop, pink patchwork Pumas and brown “Bambi” Nikes—topped with faux fur—rest on glass shelves next to classic Adidas shell tops. Limited-edition sneaks by the likes of Air Jordan mastermind Tinker Hatfield could easily be considered works of art. Goods, 1112 Pike St, Capitol Hill, 206-622-0459; www.needgoods.com

NecktiesThere’s a time and place (Monday morning, a life-zapping conference room in a Belltown high-rise) for plain navy neckties. But come Friday night—or what the hell, Wednesday afternoon—a certain kind of fellow wants to have a little more fun with what is essentially the only accessory available to him. Enter Rag, where co-owner Apryl McCarthy stocks playful silk ties designed by Duncan Quinn, emblazoned with roaring lions and giant fleurs de lis. Rag, 10500 NE Eighth St, Ste 115, Bellevue, 425-637-3979; www.ragmensstyle.com

Men’s FashionsTime was when a Seattle guy with a flair for fashion was pretty much out of luck, but no more. Blackbird began as a prototypical jeans and tees men’s shop, but in the last year owner and buyer Nicole Miller introduced drapey sleeveless shirts by Diet Butcher Slim Skin and softly metallic white denim by Raf Simmons. Now there’s no more excuses for local guys to look slouchy. Blackbird, 5410 22nd Ave NW, Ballard, 206-547-2524; www.blackbirdballard.com

HandbagsSeattle’s full of great shoe stores, but very few shops specialize in that other female obsession: the handbag. Sisters-in-law Kimberly and Carrie Arrington found their niche with Clutch, where, in turn, plenty of Seattle shoppers satisfy their hobo, calfskin, and patent-leather obsessions. Kimberly always knows the scoop on the most buzzed about bags—Botkier’s woven—leather tote, Seril’s “Knockout” clutch—and tries them in her shop (though it’s tricky keeping them in stock). Clutch, 1212 Fourth Ave, Downtown, 206-624-2362; www.clutchseattle.com

Costume JewelryAt Vu, decadent, gorgeous designer goods from times gone by are the main attraction and, fittingly, the accessory case holds some wonderfully oversize faux-gemstone rings. But in addition to combing the estate collections of Seattle’s best dressed, shop owner Han Vu also travels to Asia and returns with lovely new items. Check out the ring featuring the sweet white critter with a pale pink nose (Is he a bear? A rabbit?) and the jewel-encrusted owl piece by the same Taiwanese designer. Vu, 313 E Pine St, Capitol Hill, 206-621-0388

Rent-a-BaubleDiamonds, smoky quartz, and black onyx are a girl’s best friends, but you don’t necessarily need to own your intimates. Seattle designers (Maile) Roundtree and (Nicole) Richardson make wonderfully chunky yet elegant pieces available for one-night stands—say, the SAM gala or a wedding at the Sculpture Park—so even though you might pay $1,200 for their ornate, organic-looking hand-wired turquoise and 24-karat gold necklaces at a jewelry shop, it’s yours for the evening for $300. Roundtree and Richardson, www.roundtreeandrichardson.com

Best of Georgetown

Public Art

Magic mushrooms and socialist icons: Seattle’s public art could certainly use a spray of relevance. Enter the city-sanctioned Graffiti Wall at Fourth Avenue South and South Michigan Street, where 14 artists have tagged cartoonish dragons, koi, deer, and a bust of Socrates to create an eye-popping, 160-foot-long mural that’s about as “right now” as it gets.Graffiti Wall, Fourth Ave S & S Michigan St, Georgetown

Pub Grub

Pub menus sans French fries are a dangerous trend in this town, but the fine vegetarian fare and rare vintage video games at Georgetown Liquor Company are so good, we won’t hold the fried-potato faux pas against them. The atmosphere, meanwhile, oozes G-town charm: tattooed ’tenders behind the bar, local art on the walls, and Manny’s on tap. Georgetown Liquor Company, 5501B Airport Way S, Georgetown, 206-763-6764; www.georgetownliquorcompany.com

Soup

Filling a noontime niche in South Seattle, Sue Benyak and Lori Gilliam—owners of Two Tartes Café and Catering—satisfy local lunchers by churning out a rotating selection of slow-cooked soups in their small, sunny café. Benyak assures there’s “a spoonful of lovin’” in every batch. Two-Tartes Café and Catering, 5629 Airport Way S, Georgetown, 206-767-8012; www.twotartes.com

Custom Tiles

The showroom at Georgetown Tile Worksdisplays works by neighborhood artists, while in the back room, artist Bruce Andersen creates custom glazes and tiles that lend glamour to fireplaces and furniture. Georgetown Tile Works, 5905 Airport Way S, Georgetown, 206-767-0331; www.georgetowntileworks.com

ScentsFremont feels French at Essenza, a glass-bottle-lined boudoir where sweet fig infusers mix with the amber overtones of powerful Parisian perfumes and water-lily-infused hand soaps wrapped in fleur-de-lis-patterned paper from Boston. Chic shopkeepers help you explore what you want in an aroma, then waltz you around the store until you ascertain which scent suits you best. Essenza, 615 N 35th St, Fremont, 206-547-4895; www.essenzaseattle.com

Surf ShopCatching a Washington wave became way easier when the bright boarder mecca Cheka-Looka Surf Shop opened 10 years ago in Fremont. In true laid-back So Cal–surfer spirit, Huntington Beach transplant Jeff Abandonato minds his store with one eye on YouTube—“Dude, you just gotta check this out!”—and the other on your new XCel wet suit and custom-made, classic long board. Cheka-Looka Surf Shop, 3507 Evanston Ave N, Fremont, 206-726-7878

DishesThough Igor Klimenkoff left Moscow more than 20 years ago, at recently opened Far 4, his family-run porcelain shop, you can feel the owner’s nostalgia for the finery of his native land. Shown alongside exquisite Meissen pieces and contemporary European and Japanese art and tableware, his own line of Moscow-made hand-painted plates and funny yet fragile figurines respectfully references the past with a stylish, modern air. Far 4, 1020 First Ave, Downtown, 206-621-8831; www.far4.net

Interiror DesignSan Francisco–based Limn has designed its spacious showroom to feel like your dream home—although many of the European, postmodern pieces feel like they belong in your wildest dream home. Art certainly meets design when a snowball-like light pendant dangles over a walnut dinner table, which in turn rests on a psychedelic—print rug. Limn, 629 Western Ave, Pioneer Square, 206-696-7077; www.limn.com

R.I.P.

The Boeing Surplus Store

The Boeing Surplus Store, 35, died on December 21, 2007. The one-stop shop for all manner of geeky gadgetry (used airplane parts, mercury-vapor analyzers) had had several brushes with death in the past when patrons realized they should probably actually do something with their lives. Fortunately for Boeing Surplus, those patrons promptly snort-laughed such notions away and went back to arguing Batman vs. Wolverine. Ultimately it was competition with online sales that did Boeing Surplus in; who knew nerds spent a lot of time online? The store is survived by big-breasted men who live in their moms’ basements and still write complaint letters to NBC for the 1969 cancellation of the original Star Trek series.

DecorThanks to the careful yet fanciful eye of Liberty Hanson and her shop Liberty 123, Kirkland’s Park Lane has the flair of European decadence and the charm of a weekend cabin. Witness the baroque crystal chandelier, eighteenth-century German bed, and comfy linen cushions upholstered in Georgia. “You can tell that that’s an antique of the future,” says Hanson of the daybed. If she says so, it must be true. Liberty 123, 123 Park Ln, Kirkland, 425-822-1232; www.liberty123.com

Vintage DecorKirk Albert collects gene markers of industry, history, and culture from as far away as Tennessee and as nearby as Seattle’s south-end junk shops while always being “persnickety about silhouette and shapes and finishes.” His art-object emporium Great Stuff Vintage is right at home in arty, industrial Georgetown; a massive metal and neon sign spells out “Star,” but it’s Albert’s reworked lighting pieces that really shine. Great Stuff Vintage, 5517 Airport Way S, Georgetown, 206-931-6208; www.greatstuffseattle.com

MallWandering through the sprawling 27,000-square-foot Pacific Galleries in SoDo takes one from cases of elegant, engraved silverware to a stall packed with gypsy fabrics, stained-glass windows from old Seattle landmarks, and mod modern decor. And then tucked into the rear of the building: a large carved, covered European bed from the 1850s and immense wardrobes suitable for lions and witches. Pacific Galleries, 241 S Lander St, SoDo, 206-292-3999; www.pacgal.com